Glossary of College Admission Terms
“Best Fit”:
The college search is not about getting into the best college. There is no school that is best for all students. Some students do best at large public universities; others excel in small liberal arts colleges; still others want to study far from home. If you want to make the most of college, don't just apply to the big–name schools or the ones your friends are excited about. Do your own research to find schools that are the best fit for you.
Campus Interview:
This is a personal, face-to-face interaction between an admissions applicant and an institutional representative (admissions officer, alumnus, faculty, etc.). Interviews are sometimes required, but often optional for the admission process.
Campus Visit/Tour:
A service by the college admissions office for prospective students, allowing them to visit various campus buildings, meet key institutional personnel, and get a firsthand look at campus life. Also a great way to get connected with current students to talk about their experiences with the college!
Coalition Application:
The Coalition Application makes it possible for students to use one application for admission to apply to its 130+ college and university members. You can create an account as early as freshman year! There is a “locker” feature where you can also upload academic and extracurricular information to submit with your application for admission.
College Essay:
A brief composition on a single subject, required by many colleges as part of the application process for admission. If possible, start working on your college essay during the summer time before the start of senior year, you will need time for review and edits!
College Fair:
An event at which colleges, universities, and other organizations related to higher education present themselves in an exposition atmosphere for the purpose of attracting and identifying potential applicants. FRHSD hosts one each fall that includes over 170 colleges!
College Rep Visit:
This is when a college or university admissions representative visits your high school for the purpose of introducing the institution to students, answering questions and getting connected for future communication. You can sign up for these visits via Naviance during the fall.
Common Application:
The Common Application (informally known as the Common App) makes it possible for students to use one admissions application to apply to any of the 700+ member colleges and universities. There is a Common Application for First-Year Admission and a Common Application for Transfer Admission. Both versions allow the application to be filled out once online and submitted to all schools with the same information going to each.
Demonstrated Interest:
This includes a student’s expression of his or her desire to attend a particular college through campus visits, contact with admissions officers, and other actions that attract the attention of college admissions personnel. Studies have shown that more than half of schools do consider demonstrated interest in their admissions decisions.
Early Action:
Early Action is one way to submit an application in early fall of senior year and notification is usually sent by mid-December. There is NO binding agreement if accepted through Early Action, students can still continue with their applications at other institutions and have until the May 1st national deposit deadline to make a final decision.
Early Decision:
Early Decision is one way to submit an application in early fall of senior year and notification is usually sent by mid-December. If accepted through Early Decision, students MUST commit to attending and be able to pay the tuition costs regardless of financial aid awards. This is a binding agreement that can rarely be broken.
“Reach School”:
A college or university that you have a chance of getting into, but your test scores, GPA and/or class rank are a bit on the low side when you look at the school's profile. The top U.S. colleges and top universities should always be considered reach schools.
Recommendation Letters:
Statements or letters of endorsement written on a student’s behalf during the college application process. These typically come from school counselors and teachers, never from a family member.
Regular Decision:
Regular Decision is one way to submit an application by a specific deadline date set by the college or university. Typically colleges will respond within a reasonable and stated period of time.
Rolling Admission:
A procedure by which admission decisions are made on a continuous basis during the admissions cycle and notification is sent within 3-4 weeks after receipt of completed application materials.
“Safety School”:
A college or university where you clearly meet the admission requirements: minimum GPA, test scores, etc. It’s important, though, that the school also be one that you would want to attend.
Selectivity:
Selectivity is the degree to which a college or university admits or denies admission based on the individual student’s record of academic achievement. Highly selective schools typically admit 25% of applicants, a very selective school admits 26% to 49% of applicants, a selective school admits 50% to 75% of applicants and a school with open admission admits applicants based on space availability.
Self-Reported Academic Record (SRAR):
Some colleges or universities will require that you self-report your academic record with your application for admission. This can be done online through the institutions website; you will need to have your transcript to complete the SRAR.
Superscoring:
Many colleges will combine your top SAT Evidence Based Reading and Writing section and your top Mathematics section form multiple exam periods to evaluate your highest possible composite score. Depending on university admission policy, many colleges will also Superscore the ACT.